Key duplicator



April 1930- E. JOHNSON 1,752,668

KEY DUPLICATOR Filed Sept. 10, 1925 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. AT (Yb/#7150 A TTORNEY April 1, 1930. E. JOHNSON 1,752,668

KEY DUPLICATOR 62 INVENTOR.

' 5. J/y/rao/y ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1, 1930 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD JOHNSON, F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA KEY DUPLICATOB Application filed September 10, 1925. Serial No. 55,450.

My invention relates to a device for duplicating keys of the notched bit type.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which will exactly duplicate the original key regardless of the shape of the notch angles thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provideextremely simple means for insuring the proper setting of the original and blank in the device.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a key duplicator with mechanism for offecting the longitudinal movement of a blank by means manually operable in a vertical plane.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a key duplicator by which keys may be made lacking the usual burr at the notch edges.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form Within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the key duplicator.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device.

Figure 3 is an end view of the device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a View of a. portion of the device showing a stop used in positioning a key in the device.

Figure 6 is a view of the mechanism utilized in holding the stop shown in Figure 5 pos1- 5 tioned.

Figure 7 is a view showing another stop -used in the device and operatively positioned thereon. I

As illustrated in the drawings, the device 5? of my invention comprises circular cutters 8 and 9 and corresponding key supporting means 11 and 12 mounted on a common base 13. The cutters are here shownremovably mounted on a shaft 14 carried in spaced bearings 16 provided at the upper end of a supporting member 17, the latter being fixed at its lower end to the base 13. The cutter 8, it will now be noted, is of the bevel edged type having its teeth defining an acute angle with the axis of rotation, while the cutter 9 has its teeth extending parallel to the axis of rotation, the former being particularly adapted for forming notches of the type found in pin-lock keys, while the latter is particularly adapted for forming rectangular slots such as are found in other types of keys. As here shown, the rotation of the shaft 1% is arranged to be effected through the use of a power belt on a pulley 18 fixed to the shaft between the bearings 16, though it will be obvious that other means for rotating the. shaft might be provided. s

The support 11, which is here shown operatively associated with the cutter 8, comprises a block 21 in which an original key 22 and a key blank 23 are arranged to be removably mounted with their backs in parallel relation. As here shown, the block is notched at its forward edge to provide aligned seats 25 and 26 for the blank and key respectively, and the latter are arranged to be held seated by means of plates 27 provided with downwardly extending flanges 28 which are arranged to be caused to bear forcibly on the upper sides of the key and blank to thereby hold them 0 in their respective seats. In the present embodiment of the invention, positioning of the plates 27 to hold the key and blank is effected by means of knurled nuts 29 operatively engaging studbolts 31 extending from the block 21 through suitable perforatlons provided in the plates. In this manner, it will now be noted, the key and blank, when fully seated, will be held in the block with their corresponding parts in parallel relation. The block 21 is arranged to be held in operative position by virtue of its mounting on a support member 32 which is here show n formed in upper and lower hingedly connected sections 33 and 34 respectively. The lower suport section 34, it will be noted, is preferably xed to a rod 36 mounted on the base in suitable bearings 37 for both rotative and longitudinal movement. In this manner, the block '21 is arranged for independent movement transversely of or parallel to the axis of the shaft 14 as may desirable. The provision of the hinge between the sections of the member 32 allows adjustment to secure the best angle of approach of the cutter to the blank, the joint being tightened to maintain the desired angle. To provide for cutting the blank only in exact conformity with theshape of the original key, a guide point 38 is provided, the latter being here shown mounted on a block 39 carried on a bracket 41 extending from the side of the member 17 adjacent the supporting means 11. As here shown, the block 39 is arranged tobe secured to the bracket 41 by means of through-bolts 42 passing through aslot 43 provided in the bracket, so that longitudinal adjustment of the positioning of the guide-point may be effected. The guide point 38 is also arranged for adjustment toward or from the axis of the shaft 14, and as here shown, forms the" extremity of a threaded member 44 extending transversely through the block 39. In the present embodiment of the invention, the block 39 is provided with an unthreaded perforation for the rece 'tion of the member 44 and is longitudinal y slotted across the perforation -to permit the mounting of a nut 46 on the portion of the member 44 lying across the slot. A second nut 45 laced rearwardly of the block 39 is 1provideffor use as a locknut, it being noted t at after the latter is loosened, the rotation of the nut 46 will cause a'movement of the member 44 through the block, so that adjustment of the position of the point 38 is readily efiected. The guide point 38, it will now be noted, is shaped correslpondingly to the. cutter edge so that if t e cutter and point are first simultaneously set in contact with corresponding points of the ke and blank, the cutter will then cut into t e blank only at these points where grooves occur in the original key.

Since it is desirable, in order to always secure a true copy of the original key, that the various grooves be finished by the tip of the cutter rather than by its face, means 65 are provided for so positioning the supporting block 11 that a' point finish is assured. Such means is here shown comprising the provision of a mounting of the block 2l to allow its swinging to such a position that the back 50 line of the keys is angularly disposed with respect to the drive shaft axis to such a degree that all of the finishing of the various grooves will be done by the cutter point, rather than by its face, as mi ht occur if the cutter extends transversely o the key blank. In the latter event, small points are ire uently eliminated in shaping a key, and t e resulting key fails to open the lock for which it was intended. Accordingly, the block 21 is here shown pivotally mounted across the upper end of the upper section 33 of the block sugport member 32 about a studbolt 49 exten ing therefrom, a nut 51 being utilized to frictionally hold the block positioned on the section 33. Means are accordingly provided for setting and holding the block 21 in desired angular relation to the cutter, and as here shown comprise a bracket 52 fixed to the support section 33 and havin extensions 53 lyin in the lane of the bloc 21 in substantia y paral el relation to the axis of the rod 36. By appropriate manipulation of a pair of inwardly extending bolts 54 mounted in threaded apertures provided adjacent the extremities of the extensions 53 and arranged to have their inner ends 56 bear against the rear face 57 of the block 21, the latter may be swung to and-positively held in any desired angular relation to the cutter. It will now benoted that by virtue of the angular adjustment of the block 21, the slope from the perpendicular of a cut may be made less than the bevel angle of the cutter, so that a single cutter may be used for making grooves having any desired side slopes without sacrificin the point finishing of all parts of the cut. i further advantage in roviding for a point finished cut lies in t e fact that a cut so made is practically burrless and a key made with the apparatus of my invention thus needs no further finishing.

On account of the use of the bevelled cutter, operative movement of the key blank against it may occur in only one direction, and means for effecting such movement in a simple and convenient'manner are accordingly provided. As here shown, the rod 36 on which the block 21 is carried in a manner hereinbefore described is utilized, such means com rising a lever 61 pivotally mounted on the base 13 adjacent one of the bearings 37 and having ahandle end 62 arranged for movement in a vertical plane which includes the axis of the rod 36. The lever 61 is also provided with means operatively connecting itto the rod 36 for effecting the longitudinal reciprocation thereof, such means being here shown as comprising a sleeve 63looselyen 'aging the rod and pivotally connected to a ork portion 64 of the lever. Collars 66 are suitably and adjustably fixed on the rod on either side of the sleeve to provide thrust bearings therefor, it now being noted that oscillation of the lever handle in its plane is thus arranged to cause a longitudinal motion of the rod. Since steadiness of operation in moving the key blank against the cutter is most desirable, means are preferably provided for resiliently urging the rod to maintain the block carrying the blank in such position that an upward movement of the lever will move the blank against the cutting face of the cutter. As here shown, such means comprises a collar 67 fixed on the opposite end 68 of the rod and ahelical spring 69 encircling the rod and operatively disposed between the collar 67 and the adjacent rod bearing 37. In

this manner the block 21 is arranged to be manually held positioned as desired and is withdrawn from such positioning upon the removal of the operators hand. In using the device, it will now be noted that with the key holding block 21 set in the best angular relation to the cutter and the guide and cutter points arranged to register with corresponding points of the original and blank keys, the block is lightly pressed inwardly to hold the original key in contact with the guide oint while .the lever is pressed downwardy to feed the blank against the cutter at a rate determined by the rate of cutting of the latter.

The key supporting means 12, which is arranged for operative association with the cutter 9, is formed in two like original and blank key holding sections 71 and 72 arranged for mounting on a common shaft 73 forming part of a support member 74, the latter being pivotally and slidably mounted on the base 13. As here shown, each of the sections 71 and 7 2 includes a block portion '7 6 provided with a key seat 77 at its front edge and a transversely extending half bearing 78 for the shaft 73 intermediate its front and rear edges, and a pair of caps 80 and 79 respectively secured to the portion 76 by means of front and rear stud bolts 81 and 82 extending therethrough from the portion 76. The caps 80, it will be noted, are arranged to cooperate with the seats 77 to hold keys therein, while the caps 79 are provided with half bearings 85 ar ranged to cooperate with the half bearings 78 to operativel engage the shaft 73. Suit-' able nuts 83 an 84 are provided for use with the bolts 81 and 82 respectively, the former being preferably knurled to facilitate manual manipulation thereof.

Support of the shaft portion 73 of the sup port member 74'is preferably provided by means of a pair of links 86 and 87 pivotally connected at their common end by means of a bolt 88. The upper link 86 is perforated to receive the shaft 73 and is provided with a set screw 89 arranged to engage the shaftv when mounted therein. Thelower link 87 is preferably perforated to receive a rod 91 and to which it is fixedly secured, the rod being positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the cutter and slidably and rotatably mounted in bearings 92 carried on the base 13. It will now be noted that the shaft 73 is also parallel to the axis of rotation of the cutter so that all the corresponding parts of original and blank keys 93 and 94 will be parallelly disposed when properly pos tioned in the key support sections 71 and 72 respec tively. A guide point 96 is also provided for use with the key 93, the point being shaped at its key engaging end to conform with the shape of the edge of the cutter 9 and being preferably adjustably'mounted in the same manner as is the point 38.

It will now be noted that with the various pivot connections loosely engaged, adjustment of the key support section 71 may be made to allow proper registration of the key 93 with the point 96, and the bolt 88, set screw 89, and nut 83 then tightened to hold the parts in the relation so attained. With the key blank 94 fixed in the support section 72, longitudinal adjustment of the point 96 may now be made, after which the various cuts in the blank key are made in conformity with the original key by manually and simultaneously swinging the original key 93 and blank key 94 inwardly as far as the point 96 will permit. It will now be noted that the blank key holding section 72 while frictionally held positioned on the 'shaft, is preferably not rigidly fixed thereon, so that upon completion of a cut by the cutter, this section may be oscillated about the shaft to thereby cause the bottom of the cut to be convex rather than concave and thus produce a burrless cut.

With the machine formed and operated as hereinbefore described, adjustment of the positions of one or the other of the guide points 38 and 96 would probably be necessary each time a duplicate key is made, since even small differences in the shapes of the blanks or their positioning in the device would necessitate readjustment. To eliminate this contingency, means are provided for insuring the exactly corresponding positioning of a blank with respect to the original, such means being appropriate to the type of key to be made. Blanks for pin-lock keys, it is noted, are invariably provided with front and back shoulders 101 and 102 presumably aligned at rightangles to the back line of the key adjacent its bow end. These shoulders may be utilized in positioning a key in clamps, such as those provided by applicant by seating the back shoulder against the end.

invention. As here shown, such means comprises similarly formed stop members 103 and 104 pivotally fixed at corresponding ends 106 and 107 of the key seats 25 and-26 and arranged to have the key shoulders 102 similarly positioned thereagainst While being fixed in their seats. In order that the stops may engage the key shoulders 102 or be removed from such engagement when and as desired, the latter are preferably of generally semi-circular outline, and secured at one end to the block 21 by means of a pivot 108 and arecut away on their inner sides to provide a spirally curved edge 109 starting as from their pivot point. In this manner, swinging the stop forwardly and upwardly will position it to receive a shoulder 102 of a key, and on account of the spiral shape of the edge 109, keys of various widths at their shoulders may be set against the stop with equal facility. The stop member 103is preferably held seated by means of a nut 113 arranged to engage the threaded outer end of the pivot member 108, and is preferably arranged to be resiliently urged from its seat by means of a spring 111 operatively disposed between the block end 106 and a socket 112 provided in the stop member. A handle 114 extending laterally from the end of the stop member is arranged to be utilized in adjusting the positioning of the latter. Since the stop 103 is not readily accessible, it may, if desired, be mounted at its pivot point on a shaft 116 arranged to extend through the block 21 through the outer end 117 thereof and having a knurled nut 118 fixed at its protruding end by which the stop may be rotatably manipulated.

Blanks for other than pin-lock keys, it is noted, are not always provided with shoulders which may be utilized in positioning a keyand blank therefor in corresponding positions. Such keys, on the other hand, may

usually be positioned in terms of their bit ends, and, accordingly, means providing a stop for the bit ends of keys are provided for similarly positioning such keys in connection with the cutter 9. As here shown, such means comprises discs 121 pivotally mounted against the corresponding ends 122 and 123 of the key and blank holding blocks 76 and arranged to have a portion thereof overlie the adjacent end of the respective key seats. The discs are correspondingly formed and may be conveniently provided with various shaped perforations 124 arranged to receive the ends of different styles of keys. Or, if desired, the flat face of the disc may directly receive the key tip.

The provision of the stops, it will now be noted, eliminates necessity. of shifting the mountings of the guide points, which may therefore be left in a single set position so that the proper setting of a key and blanks in the device is thus very much simplified.

I claim:

1. In a key duplicator, a rotatable disc cutter havin a cutting surface provided thereon, a keylank-support arranged for movement in a fixed plane to permit the presentation of the bit portion of the blank against said cutting surface to cause the notching thereof, means arranged for adjusting the angular relation of said support to said cutting surface whereby said cutting surface will be maintained in adjusted angular relation to the finished portions of the surface of a notch, and means manually operable in a fixed vertical plane perpendicular to said first plane for disposing the uncut portions (1 f said key blank against said cutting sur ace.

2. In a key duplicator having a rotatable cutter for forming notched bit keys, a movable key support provided with seats in which an original key and a corresponding blank key are arranged to be set with their axes in parallel relation, pivotally mounted displaceable stops on said support arranged to be adjustably set to engage corresponding parts-of said key and blank whereby said key and blank may be positioned in said seats in a predetermined fixed spaced relation, a guide point arranged to be fixed for registration with said key at points corresponding to the points of registration of said cutter with said blank, corresponding points on said guide point and cutter being spaced in the same relation as are corresponding points on said stop, and means arranged for adjustably varying the angular relation of said support to the cutting edge of the cutter.

3. In a key duplicator having a rotatable cutter, a movable key support provided with seats in which an original key and a corresponding blank key are arranged to be set in fixed relation with corresponding parts in parallel relation, and independent perforated displaceable stop-plates on said support ar ranged to be adjustably set and positively held to engage corresponding parts of saiil keyand blank whereby said key and blank may be positioned in said seats in a predetermined fixed spaeed relation.

4. In a key duplicator having a rotatable cutter of disc form, a blank-key support mounted for pivotal movement in planes parallel and perpendicular to that of said cutter whereby the bit of said blank may be presented horizontally inwardly and angularly differently against said cutter, and means manually operable in a vertical plane perpendicular to said first planes for causing the horizontal movement of said support in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said cutter.

5. In a key duplicator having a rotatable cutter of disc form, a blank-key support mounted for pivotal movement in planes parallel and perpendicular to that of said cutter whereby the bit portion of said blank may be resented substantially radially inwardly ancIangularly' differently against the cutting edge of said cutter, means permitting the 

